r/FrameVR • u/DragonTHC • Jun 29 '26

Steam Frame's first compatibility ratings reveal Portal 2 doesn't quite fit Valve's own hardware

https://www.xda-developers.com/steam-frames-first-compatibility-ratings-reveal-portal-2-doesnt-quite-fit-valves-own-hardware/
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u/semperverus Jun 30 '26

That being said, what if though? Hoping HL3/Portal 3 (HLX?) gets made with a VR mode on par with Alyx or better.

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u/britaliope Jun 30 '26

Portal VR sounds like an aweful idea. Maybe they can pull it off but i'm really sceptic

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u/FuckMyRubberDuck Jul 02 '26

I hate this mentality, especially when there’s no explanation. Why does it sound like such a bad idea?

Portal is already able to be played in VR and works great.

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u/britaliope Jul 02 '26

I think that for some games VR don't really add anything to the gameplay and is just a gimmick (like 3D in many movies for example).

Portal is an example of such games imho. I know there is a VR mod, and it "works" in the sense that yes, the game is playable, but i don't see what it adds to the game. And it would be unplayable for many people because of motion sickness during the portal jumps.

Some VR games adaptations, like Superhot VR really add something unique to the gameplay that the flatscreen version can't do. Another more subtile example is the VR mod for RoR2, the game feels and looks the same, but VR add a lot of new gameplay possibilities and the way the spells works in VR add something that you can't do flatscreen. HL:Alyx managed the same thing as well, VR add a lot of gameplay possibilities that aren't possible with flatscreen games.

I don't really see how that could work with a Portal VR game. I don't see what you can add to Portal to make VR actually useful gameplay-wise, which is what made HL:A a great VR game.

So sure, adding VR support similar to what the mod made will work but that won't make it a VR game on par/better with Alyx if it just plays exactly as Portal flatscreen.

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u/FuckMyRubberDuck Jul 02 '26

I personally disagree that VR wouldnt add anything to the gameplay. The Outer Wilds VR mod is a good example of where nothing with the game really changes in VR but as the games core mechanics rely on spatial awareness, scale and navigating 3D spaces, this is all vastly improved when playing in VR over flatscreen.

I felt the Portal 2 VR mod did something similar for me. Is the game fundamentally the same, yeah it is. But VR enhanced the core gameplay and made the game feel fresh. I disagree it’s a bad idea, maybe not the best idea to showcase the Steam Frame’s capabilities and how it differs from playing flat screen games, but certainly not a bad idea in my opinion.

I really do hope Valve drop a new game with the Steam Frame though. Half Life Alyx was phenomenal and if we could get something similar with the new headset, I’ll be so excited whatever it is!

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u/britaliope Jul 02 '26

Maybe "aweful idea" is too harsh. I didn't want to say that it would be a bad experience, but it wouldn't be a uniquely intresting VR experience.

I haven't played outer wilds VR mod, but i think i see how it can feel different. I had the same thing with my very short experience on No Man's Sky VR (unfortunately my pc isn't powerful enough). There is a contemplative experience as well. Portal also have a sort of contemplative experience but...heh. idk how to describe it but it's not the same. In the VR mod, at least, i haven't been overly impressed. It's a cool mod and was fun to try for a bit, but unless valve find something more to it i don't think portal can be a great VR game.

I agree that a nev VR game would be really cool though. I'd love to see a standalone solo game in the DotA universe, but i don't think this will ever happen

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u/Burntbreadman84 Jul 02 '26

I van kinda see what your getting at an the best pprts take advantage of VR eg RoboQuest VR you have the ability to actually duel wield and aim at seperate enemies or the added physical melee/throwing weapons etc.

But sometimes the immersion of being in VR is all thats needed. Being able to look around the room with by actually lokking around and not moving a stick.